Explanation at your level:
Your mother tongue is the first language you learn. It is the language you speak with your family at home. For example, if you are from France, your mother tongue is French. It is the language you know best!
A mother tongue is the language you learn when you are a baby. It is your native language. Many people speak their mother tongue at home, but they might learn a second language at school. It is a very important part of who you are.
The term 'mother tongue' refers to your first language, or the language you grew up speaking. It is usually the language used by your parents. Even if you learn many other languages later in life, your mother tongue is the one you feel most comfortable using for your thoughts and feelings.
Mother tongue is synonymous with 'native language' or 'first language.' It is the primary language acquired during childhood. Linguists often use this term to discuss how language shapes our identity and cognitive processes. It is common to say, 'English is my mother tongue,' to describe your linguistic background in professional or social settings.
In sociolinguistics, the mother tongue represents the linguistic foundation of an individual. It is the language in which one is most proficient and with which one has the strongest emotional connection. While some individuals are raised in bilingual environments and have two mother tongues, for most, it is a singular, deeply ingrained system that influences how they perceive the world around them.
The concept of the mother tongue transcends mere linguistic proficiency; it is deeply entwined with cultural heritage and personal identity. In academic discourse, the term is often contrasted with 'second language' acquisition, highlighting the unique neuro-cognitive pathways formed during the critical period of development. A person's mother tongue is not just a tool for communication, but a repository of cultural nuances, historical context, and ancestral wisdom, often remaining the primary medium for subconscious thought even after decades of immersion in a foreign linguistic environment.
30秒でわかる単語
- Mother tongue is your first language.
- It is usually acquired in early childhood.
- It is deeply linked to cultural identity.
- It is synonymous with 'native language'.
Think of your mother tongue as your 'default' language. It is the language you think in, dream in, and express your deepest feelings through. It is the first linguistic system your brain maps out before you ever step into a formal classroom.
For many people, the mother tongue is deeply tied to their cultural heritage. It is not just about vocabulary and grammar; it is about the stories, jokes, and traditions passed down through generations. When you speak your mother tongue, you are often connecting to your roots in a way that feels completely natural and effortless.
Even if you move to a new country and become fluent in a second or third language, your mother tongue often remains the 'home base' for your mind. It is the language you revert to when you are tired, surprised, or emotional. Understanding this concept helps us appreciate why language is such a vital part of who we are as human beings.
The term mother tongue is a literal translation of the Latin phrase lingua materna. In ancient times, the 'mother' was seen as the primary caregiver who taught the child how to communicate, hence the association between maternal figures and the acquisition of speech.
Historically, this concept has been used to distinguish between the language of the home and the language of the state or church. In medieval Europe, for example, Latin was the language of scholars and the church, while the common people spoke their own 'mother tongues'—the vernacular languages like Old English, French, or German.
Interestingly, the term has evolved to become a standard linguistic term. It is now widely used in academic fields like sociolinguistics to describe primary language acquisition. While we now understand that both parents and the surrounding environment contribute to language learning, the term 'mother tongue' has stuck as a beautiful, idiomatic way to describe our linguistic starting point.
You will hear mother tongue used in both formal and informal settings. In academic papers, you might see it referred to as 'L1' or 'first language,' but 'mother tongue' is perfectly acceptable in almost any conversation.
Common collocations include 'native speaker of' or 'speak as a mother tongue.' For example, you might say, 'Spanish is my mother tongue,' or 'She is a native speaker of Japanese.' These phrases are standard and clear.
The register of this term is neutral. It works just as well in a business meeting when discussing language proficiency as it does in a casual chat with friends about where you grew up. Just be aware that in some very specific scientific contexts, researchers might prefer the term 'first language' to be more precise about the order of acquisition.
While 'mother tongue' is a phrase itself, it relates to several idioms about language:
- Speak the same language: To share similar opinions or values. Example: 'Even though we come from different countries, we really speak the same language when it comes to music.'
- Lose one's tongue: To be unable to speak due to shyness or shock. Example: 'When he saw the celebrity, he completely lost his tongue.'
- Mother of all...: An idiom meaning the biggest or best of something. Example: 'That was the mother of all storms!'
- Tongue-tied: To be unable to speak clearly because of nervousness. Example: 'I got so tongue-tied during the presentation.'
- Native fluency: Speaking a language as well as someone who grew up with it. Example: 'She speaks English with native fluency.'
Grammatically, mother tongue is a compound noun. It functions like any other countable noun. You can say 'my mother tongue' or 'the mother tongue of the tribe.' The plural is mother tongues.
Pronunciation-wise, the stress is on the first syllable of each word: MOTH-er TONGUE. Note that 'tongue' is a tricky word; it rhymes with young and sung, not with vogue. The 'ue' at the end is silent.
In terms of usage, you rarely use an article if you are using it possessively (e.g., 'My mother tongue is...'), but you use the definite article when referring to the concept generally (e.g., 'The mother tongue is essential for early development'). Keep it simple and natural!
Fun Fact
The word 'tongue' is used because it is the primary organ for speech.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'th' is voiced, the 'u' in tongue is short.
Similar to UK, but with a rhotic 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'tongue' like 'vogue'
- Dropping the 'th' sound
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Standard
Standard
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns
mother + tongue
Possessive Pronouns
my mother tongue
Articles
the mother tongue
Examples by Level
My mother tongue is Spanish.
My first language is Spanish.
Possessive pronoun usage.
What is your mother tongue?
What is your first language?
Question structure.
He speaks his mother tongue.
He speaks his native language.
Third person singular.
I love my mother tongue.
I love my native language.
Verb usage.
She learns a new language, not her mother tongue.
She learns a different language.
Contrastive conjunction.
Is this your mother tongue?
Is this your first language?
Yes/No question.
They teach in their mother tongue.
They teach in their native language.
Plural subject.
My mother tongue is easy.
My native language is simple.
Adjective usage.
My mother tongue helps me learn English.
She is proud of her mother tongue.
We speak our mother tongue at home.
Can you write in your mother tongue?
His mother tongue is very different from English.
They study their mother tongue at school.
I miss speaking my mother tongue.
It is important to keep your mother tongue.
Although I live in the UK, my mother tongue is Italian.
Many schools encourage students to use their mother tongue.
It is difficult to translate poetry from your mother tongue.
She has forgotten some words in her mother tongue.
He is a native speaker whose mother tongue is Arabic.
Learning a language is easier than your mother tongue.
I dream in my mother tongue.
The book was translated from his mother tongue.
Maintaining your mother tongue while living abroad is a challenge.
The mother tongue serves as a bridge to one's cultural identity.
She speaks with a slight accent even in her mother tongue.
Linguists argue about the importance of mother tongue education.
He lost his mother tongue after moving at a young age.
My mother tongue feels more expressive than my second language.
The government supports mother tongue preservation programs.
It is a rare skill to teach in a non-mother tongue language.
The subtle nuances of my mother tongue are impossible to replicate in English.
Sociolinguists often study the attrition of the mother tongue in diaspora communities.
He is a polyglot who speaks five languages, but his mother tongue remains his strongest.
The policy aims to provide primary education in the child's mother tongue.
There is a deep emotional resonance associated with one's mother tongue.
The author writes in a way that reflects the rhythm of her mother tongue.
Bilingualism often results in a complex relationship with the mother tongue.
The preservation of indigenous mother tongues is a global priority.
The cognitive architecture of the mother tongue is laid down in early infancy.
She possesses a profound command of her mother tongue, rich with idiomatic depth.
The erosion of the mother tongue is often synonymous with cultural assimilation.
He expresses his most intimate thoughts in his mother tongue.
The dialect of his mother tongue is unique to his home region.
One's mother tongue is the primary lens through which reality is filtered.
The literary tradition of his mother tongue is centuries old.
She finds comfort in the familiar cadences of her mother tongue.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"tongue-tied"
unable to speak due to nervousness
I was tongue-tied during the interview.
casual"on the tip of my tongue"
you know the word but can't recall it
His name is on the tip of my tongue.
casual"mother of all"
the biggest or best of something
That was the mother of all traffic jams.
casual"speak the same language"
to agree or understand each other
We really speak the same language.
neutral"give someone a tongue-lashing"
to scold someone severely
My boss gave me a tongue-lashing for being late.
informal"bite your tongue"
to stop yourself from saying something
I had to bite my tongue during the argument.
neutralEasily Confused
They mean the same thing
None, just register
My native language is French / My mother tongue is French.
Used in the same context
First language is more academic
L1 acquisition is studied in schools.
Both refer to language acquisition
Second language is learned later
English is my second language.
Both are languages
Foreign is not your own
I study German as a foreign language.
Sentence Patterns
My mother tongue is [Language].
My mother tongue is English.
He speaks [Language] as a mother tongue.
He speaks Spanish as a mother tongue.
The importance of mother tongue education.
We discussed the importance of mother tongue education.
She is a mother-tongue speaker of [Language].
She is a mother-tongue speaker of Mandarin.
I grew up speaking my mother tongue.
I grew up speaking my mother tongue at home.
語族
Nouns
関連
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
While understandable, 'mother tongue' is the standard fixed phrase.
Native is an adjective; you need the noun 'speaker'.
They are opposites.
People can have more than one mother tongue.
Mother tongue is for early childhood acquisition.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your mother holding a book in your native language.
Context
Use it to explain your background.
Identity
Understand that it connects to your culture.
Compound
Treat it as a single unit of meaning.
Rhyme
Tongue rhymes with young.
Don't say 'mother language'
Always use 'mother tongue'.
UNESCO
There is an International Mother Language Day.
Comparison
Compare your mother tongue and English grammar.
Silent letters
The 'ue' in tongue is silent.
Professionalism
Use 'native language' for formal CVs.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of your mother feeding you words.
Visual Association
A baby learning to speak from their mother.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to explain a complex idea in your mother tongue, then in English.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: lingua materna (maternal language)
文化的な背景
None, but be aware that some people may have multiple mother tongues.
Widely used in all English-speaking countries to describe identity.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School/Education
- Mother tongue education
- L1 support
- Bilingual classroom
Immigration/Travel
- Native speaker
- Language background
- Language retention
Linguistics
- First language acquisition
- Mother tongue attrition
- Sociolinguistics
General Conversation
- What is your mother tongue?
- I speak it as a mother tongue
Conversation Starters
"What is your mother tongue?"
"Do you think your mother tongue influences how you think?"
"Is it important for children to learn in their mother tongue?"
"How many languages do you speak besides your mother tongue?"
"Do you ever dream in your mother tongue?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your mother tongue and why you love it.
How has your mother tongue shaped your identity?
Write about a time you had to use your mother tongue in a foreign country.
What are the challenges of keeping your mother tongue alive?
よくある質問
8 問Yes, if you grow up in a bilingual household.
Yes, they are synonyms.
Historically, mothers were the primary caregivers who taught speech.
It is neutral and commonly used.
It rhymes with 'young'.
Sometimes as an adjective (mother-tongue speaker).
It is the technical term for mother tongue.
Yes, through lack of use over many years.
自分をテスト
My ___ tongue is English.
The phrase is mother tongue.
What is a mother tongue?
It is the language you learn first.
You can only have one mother tongue.
Bilingual people can have two.
Word
意味
These are synonyms.
My mother tongue is Chinese.
スコア： /5
Summary
Your mother tongue is the first language you learn and the one that feels most like home.
- Mother tongue is your first language.
- It is usually acquired in early childhood.
- It is deeply linked to cultural identity.
- It is synonymous with 'native language'.
Memory Palace
Imagine your mother holding a book in your native language.
Context
Use it to explain your background.
Identity
Understand that it connects to your culture.
Compound
Treat it as a single unit of meaning.
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